We Do!

30 We Do! • Winter 2025 • www.wedoweddingsma.com RE AL WEDDINGS JOCELYN + JEFFREY June 29, 2025 Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield The Salem Cross Inn West Brookfield www.salemcrossinn.com @salemcrossinn Ashley D'Alessandro, MakeUp Your Mind Hair Studio Auburn makeupyourmindhairstudio.com Champagne Toast Events Southbridge @champagnetoastdjs www.champagnetoast.net I T'S HARD TO BEAT the scenic meadows surrounding the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield where Jocelyn and Jeffrey Gell celebrated their summer wedding. Sweeping views surround the ceremony gazebo focal point. The rustic yet elegant barn and loft with cavernous vaulted ceilings needs minimal embel- lishment to shine – though twinkling lights do a fine job. It's a place that conjures childhood memories for the bride, 45, a vegeta- ble farmer in Northwestern Connecti- cut who shares a toddler son with Jef- frey, 52, a contractor. Her mother was crowned champion in the New England Apple Pie Baking Contest held annually at the historic Inn. "I remember watch- ing from above as she and the other con- testants prepared their pies to be baked in the historic beehive oven," Jocelyn shares. The beauty and the meaning of the venue made it a natural choice for a wedding bursting with the love of family and the splendor of nature. HOW WE MET We met at a bar but didn't begin dat- ing until over a year later when a mu- tual acquaintance who had witnessed our chemistry reconnected us - proving matchmakers do exist! THE PROPOSAL It was a Christmas proposal. The ring was wrapped in Jocelyn's stocking. As she started to unwrap it and realize what it was, Jeff came over on one knee. "I might've said, 'Are you going to get down on one knee?' through my joyful tears!" Jocelyn says. THE WEDDING DAY It's hard to find the words to fully describe it, Jocelyn says. Everything that couldn't be planned fell into place, including the weather, after so many months of preparation. Witnessing the people we love mingling and enjoying themselves, surrounded by the gorgeous setting, music, flowers and delicious food, there were moments of being over- whelmed with emotion. SPECIAL TOUCHES Except for our ringbearers, we didn't have a wedding party so we chose to have our families walk down the aisle as part of the processional. We also hired a bagpiper - a nod to our shared Scottish heritage. MOMENT WE'LL ALWAYS TREASURE Our two-year-old son, Gordon, served as a ringbearer along with our two nephews. Gordon had just been given a toy dump truck as gift and my sister suggested at the last minute that he put the ring box in it "dump the load" to dad- dy. He dutifully carried out his respon- sibility. It was a proud moment we will cherish forever! n FERN & FABLE FLORALS Milford www.fernandfableflorals.com @fernandfableflorals From our first conversation, I could tell that Sara at Fern and Fable Florals is passionate about what she does. We were like two friends discussing my vision, which was less about color palette and more about the feeling I wanted to capture. Her subsequent proposal was thorough and the execution professional. Vendor List COUPLE'S PICK

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